Foundation Trilogy

I am nearly finished with Asimov's Foundation Trilogy. I was well into it before I began looking at Amazon's reviews. Yes, we all know it is an award-winning science fiction classic, but is it worth reading? Can it still be appreciated either as an ancestor to current works or stand on its own?

Amazon (any yahoo that chooses to log on) has lots of naysayers (as an aside, one deranged soul claimed that Sgt Peppers was antiquated pap compared to Michael Jackson's genius. Another claimed that Wee Sing Silly Songs was Christian propaganda that should never be allowed near impressionable, yet free-thinking children)

Anyway I take these reviews with a grain of salt. And while the trilogy has its flaws it is a remarkable and enjoyable product of its time. I am not enough of a fan of science fiction to appreciate its place in the galaxy but as a good yarn, it was time well spent. I am not sure how soon I will reread it, though.

In the meantime, I have gotten sucked into two Dresden Files books, and the first of the Outlander series. Guilty pleasures. I do love a good storyteller!

Gilead

A book that almost begs to be read aloud. Robinson's use of language is so authentic and umm, lyrical at the same time- I am not sure that is the word I want but it is close. I usually read for the story, but Gilead does not have a plot. It is the voice of an old man, a preacher who is trying to capture and write his memories - which are pretty much his only legacy to his small son. He meanders a bit, even repeating himself, just like an old person would do.

I am surprised how the book does hold your attention. Now you would think an old preacher would be pretty dull and stuffy, especially since he came from a whole family of them. However, the conflict between his father and grandfather, is intriguing, in fact an interesting reflection of the times.

I am sure the idea of reflecting on the precious and fleeting qualities of this world as one prepares to leave it, have been explored by many before. That's OK, the author manages (so far) to keep the voice real, something that can be tough when tackling a topic that is not part of everyday conversation.

Mental grist

Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel - first impressions. He does not claim to have the answers - but he is willing to ask the questions. A scientist applying scientific inquiry to history. No, it makes sense.

The conquering, Western (racist) theory holds that primitive people are just genetically inferior -maybe not even human - case closed. This giving the conquerors perfect right to take whatever they want. Diamond sets out a whole different perspective. He posits that the development of civilizations is influenced most strongly by the environment.